Nintendo is taking the massive success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and breathing new life into it with the Booster Course Pass for the Mario racer. The paid DLC will bring 48 remastered courses from the Mario Kart series to the Switch game over the next year and a half. The courses will not simply be graphical upgrades brought to new players, however, as the producer of the series recently chimed in on the philosophical approach to these remastered tracks.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is now the best-selling title in the series, as well as the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch. Originally created for the Wii U in 2014, Mario Kart 8 will have a near decade-long lifespan between the different versions once the Booster Course Pass is completely released. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has 48 tracks built in, so the additional courses will double that. Mario Kart producer Kosuke Yabuki recently talked with Japanese publication Nikkei about the new courses and about the future of the series.In speaking with Nikkei, Yabuki talks about the idea that the word "remaster" may sound like a cheap way to add courses into the game. However, adjustments were made so that the courses are fresh and fit within the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gameplay. With the first wave, players will quickly notice changes to Coconut Mall (Wii) and Choco Mountain (N64), for example. Yabuki also talks about Sky Garden (GBA), a completely flat map in the past, receiving a new element of verticality to help it fit in with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Yabuki did say that there is a balance between updating the maps and retaining that old nostalgic feel.
Players are going to have their own memories with each course, so we were careful not to change them too much.
Yabuki brings up an interesting idea when talking about the courses. He mentions that characters or games may be thought of as intellectual property, but perhaps a level is not thought of in the same way by many. Yabuki thinks that courses should be considered IP, so he and the team are careful to polish up the maps for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe while still retaining the allure.
In talking about future Mario Kart games, courses, and more, Yabuki brought up a phrase that former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata would say, "from 5 to 95." Mario Kart is a competitive communication tool, so the team will always strive to create a fun experience that can be had by all, which means bringing players together through gameplay, nostalgic courses, and more. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe fans should expect new twists to old favorite courses with the Booster Course Pass moving forward.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available now for Nintendo Switch.
Source: Nikkei via NintendoEverything
